Cornus plant named ‘Tri-Splendor’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Cornus  plant named ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ that is characterized by variegated spring foliage and variegated flowers. The foliage color changes to solid green in the summer and then to reddish-purple in the fall. In combination these traits set ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Cornus  known to the inventor.

Genus: Cornus.

Species: kousa ssp. chinensis.

Denomination: TRI-SPLENDOR.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Cornus or Chinese dogwood that is grown for use as a landscape tree. It is known botanically as Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’.

‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ arose and was selected by the inventor at the inventor's nursery in Molalla, Oreg., as a chance seedling in a crop of Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis (species, unpatented) in 2000.

The new Cornus variety ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ is an upright tree characterized by variegated foliage which vary in the spring from lime green to yellow to cream and variegated green and cream colored flowers.

The closest known comparison plant known to the breeder is the parent plant which has solid green leaves and cream colored flowers. The foliage and flowers of ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ are variegated and change through the year. In the spring there are three distinct colors on the leaves: the margins are yellow by the base, creamy white towards the apex and the centers are green. By the end of the summer the leaves have turned all green, then in the fall become a pink-reddish hue before dropping. The late spring blooming flowers have bracts which are variegated cream and green. Other cultivars that are close in being variegated Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis are Samaritan ‘Samzam’ and ‘Snow Flake’. ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ has broader leaves and more pronounced variegation than ‘Samzam’ and variegated bracts instead of the solid white flowers of ‘Snow Flake’.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by the inventor in 2002 in a cultivated area of Molalla, Oreg. The method of asexual propagation used was side veneer grafting in which the scion is inserted into a slit on the side of the rootstock. Since that time the characteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the characteristics of the new Cornus cultivar ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ from all other varieties of Cornus known to the inventor. ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, without however any change in genotype.

-   -   1. Cornus ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ exhibits vigorous upright growth.     -   2. Cornus ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ foliage are variegated green, yellow         and cream in the spring.     -   3. Cornus ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ foliage is bright green in the summer.     -   4. Cornus ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ foliage is reddish-purple in the fall.     -   5. Cornus ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ blooms in late spring.     -   6. The flowers of Cornus ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ are variegated green and         cream.     -   7. Cornus ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new Cornus variety ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ showing colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The specimen in the drawings is a 5 year old tree grown out of doors in Mollala, Oreg. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’.

FIG. 1 shows the variegated spring foliage of ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the variegated flower of ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’.

FIG. 3 shows the fall foliage color of ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’.

FIG. 4 shows the spring foliage color of ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’.

All drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’. Data was collected from a 5 year old plant grown in out of doors in Mollala, Oreg. The color determinations are in accordance with the 1966 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. No chemicals were used to treat the plants.

-   Botanical classification: Cornus. -   Species: kousa ssp. chinensis. -   Common name: Chinese dogwood. -   Commercial classification: Deciduous flowering tree. -   Use: Landscape plant. -   Parentage: Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Upright.         -   Plant dimensions ( 1 year).—1 m in height and 1 cm in             diameter.         -   Plant dimensions ( 5 years).—3.3 m in height and 2 m in             width.         -   Plant hardiness.—USDA Zone 5-9.         -   Type.—Deciduous flowering tree.         -   Propagation.—Grafting, budding, or with semi-hardwood             cuttings.         -   Growth rate.—Vigorous— faster than other cultivars in the             species.         -   Cultural requirements.—Moist soil with good drainage.         -   Diseases and pests.—None known to the inventor. -   Branching habit: Ascending. -   Crotch angle: 35-40 degrees away from the vertical. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—197C.         -   Main trunk at 10 cm height.—16.5 cm.         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Lenticels.—Sparse, approximately 3 cm-5 cm apart.         -   Lenticel size on 3 year old branch.—1 mm in length by 0.5 mm             in width.         -   Lenticel color.—197C or darker. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Leaves.—Division: Simple. Shape: Ovate to elliptic.             Dimensions: 10 cm to 14.5 cm in length and 4.5 cm to 7.5 cm             in width. Tip: Acuminate. Base: Acute. Venation pattern:             Pinnate. Vein color: As adjacent lamina. Margin: Undulate.             Surface (both surfaces): Slightly rough due to the presence             of many fine whitish hairs. Immature leaf color (adaxial):             Outer margin 151B; leaf center 144A. Immature leaf color             (abaxial): Outer margin 151A; leaf center 146B. Mature leaf             color (adaxial): Outer margin 1D; leaf center 137B. Mature             leaf color (abaxial): Outer margin 2D; leaf center 138C.             Fall leaf color: 51A and 51B and 145B seen on individual             leaves. Leaf attachment: Petiolate. Petiole dimensions: 10.0             mm in length and 1.5 mm in diameter. Petiole surface: Rough.             Petiole color: Immature 144C; Mature 145B.         -   Inflorescence.—Form: Capitate cymes. Quantity of flowers per             inflorescence: 20-40. Time and duration of flowering: Late             May-June; bracts persisting up to 1 month. Floral bracts:             Present. Fused or unfused: Unfused. Shape: Elliptic to             broadly elliptic. Number: 4. Color (adaxial surface): Outer             margin 155D; center 134C. Color (abaxial surface): Outer             margin 155D; center 145C. Surface: Glabrous. Dimensions:             5.75 cm in length and 3.8 cm in width. Peduncle: 3.5 cm to             7.5 cm in length.         -   Reproductive organs.—Style: Cylindrical. Stamen number: 4.             Stamen dimensions: Approximately 3 mm in length and 0.3 mm             in width. Stamen color: 155C. Anther dimensions:             Approximately 0.5 mm in length and 0.75 mm in width. Anther             color: 162B.         -   Seed.—None observed to date. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Cornus plant named ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ as described and illustrated herein. 